There was popcorn. There was Coca-Cola. There was Sprite. And of course, there was some Pepsi, also fondly known as ‘bepsi’ on reservations all throughout the nation. The salty snack and sugary beverages provided an opportunity for the Tulalip Police Department to connect with the future of the Tribe on the evening of January 29, at this year’s first Pop with a Cop gathering.
Nearly 20 local youth participated in the event at the Teen Center, which made for some fun and unforgettable interactions with Tulalip’s finest. Following a motivational speech by Sergeant Jira, the kids got to play some one-on-one against him, as he was the only one to step up to protect the rep of TPD. While a handful of kids faced off with Jira on the court, the remaining kids excitedly cheered on their friends from the sidelines while also taking the chance to ask the other officers about their day-to-day duties as a tribal police officers.
As the laughter and playful smack talk ensued, TPD Officer and Tribal member, Alyshia Ramon dished out bags of freshly popped popcorn as well as activity bags to the kiddos. Taking a moment to speak with Tulalip News, Alyshia shared, “We teamed up with the Tulalip Education department and what we wanted to do was have some fun interaction with the kids and have some positive engagement with them. Sergeant Jira rounded up the kids today and talked to them about excelling in sports and getting good grades at the same time, so they can be really productive and successful when they go to college. And we just wanted to let them know that we are here to support them and that we want to be here with them.”
Alyshia stressed that they felt it was important to reiterate to the teens that they are here to serve and protect them. Which is something that tends to get lost in today’s political climate, as the women and men in blue are often times painted in a negative light.
Said Alyshia, “When you see all the stuff that’s happening on the news today, we thought it was really important for the kids to know that we are here for them. We want to support them and hopefully inspire them to take up a career in law enforcement. Because to me, this is the best job in the world – ever. It’s the only place where you’re going to learn three types of law; federal law, state law, and tribal law. And at the same time, engage with your community.”
She continued, “When they see someone who comes from the same community, grew up in the same neighborhoods, knowing my path doesn’t look any different from theirs, that we can choose the choices we make, they can do whatever they want in life. And that’s what I hope to inspire these kids to do – one, use your voice, and two, they can do anything and be whoever they want to be. And whatever they choose, they got us behind them to support them 100%.”
It can often be challenging to get teens to speak on feelings and about how they are affected in a positive manner during certain events. That could be said about the three teens who we caught up with, following the Pop with a Cop event. Actions and expressions often speak louder than words, and for Enrique Shrock, Hailey Craig, and Emma Barnes, the big smiles and hearty laughter were very telling.
After catching his breath following an intense battle with Jira, Enrique exclaimed, “Yeah, I had fun. Today, I played one-on-one with a cop, and I was shooting threes to try to win a prize. I think this was important so we could make new friends.”
Once Hailey and Emma got their picture with two officers, they gave quick statements before returning to their conversations with the policemen.
Hailey stated simply, “It was awesome and a lot of fun!”
Emma echoed, “Today was amazing. All the officers are really nice and they’re fun too. And they have cool haircuts!”
Although the event’s duration was only a brief hourlong, it is safe to say the youth had a blast at Pop with a Cop. Alyshia shared that there will be two more gatherings at the Teen Center on February 12 and 26, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30. She also mentioned that she is in talks with the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club to create a similar event to help build and foster relationships with the younger kiddos as well.
For the uninformed, Archbishop Murphy girls basketball is one of the best programs going right now. They are currently 17-1 and ranked #18 in the State of Washington. Their only loss was a 54-58 nail biter to the #11 ranked Lynden Christian.
Carving out a role for herself on Archbishop’s varsity team is 15-year-old Tulalip tribal member Kyla Fryberg. She’s normally a featurette on the junior varsity team, but because of her prowess as a defensive stopper and someone who can knock down the corner 3-ball, Archbishop head coach Ebany Herd has promoted Kyla into the big league rotation.
During a recent matchup with Arlington High School, Kyla received playing time in the 2nd half and, in doing so, shared the court with fellow Tulalip tribal member Kierra Reese who balls for Arlington. It may be the first time ever two Tulalips shared the court while playing for the Archbishop Wildcats and Arlington Eagles. If not the first time, it’s definitely one of the only times, making it a noteworthy story in the long lineage of Tulalip hoopers.
Following the matchup, Kyla was gracious enough to sit down with Tulalip News for a quick Q&A.
Q: How excited are to be getting Varsity run in your sophomore season?
A: “It’s an amazing opportunity. Playing on both JV and Varsity is letting me get to know so many of my teammates and to develop new skills. My time practicing and playing with Varsity is really making me better. I’m having fun.”
Q: What is your role when playing with the Varsity team?
A: “My role, specifically, is to bring energy and be a defensive threat. I’m comfortable picking up full court and using my speed [and agility] to stay with the player I’m guarding.”
Q: There was a lot of community support in the gym. Do you get nervous playing in front of so many friends and family?
A: “No, not really. When I’m playing, I don’t really pay attention to who’s watching or what’s happening off the court.”
Q: Last question. If you could have the game of any basketball player, NBA or WNBA, who would it be?
A: “LaMelo Ball. He just doesn’t care about what anyone says or is doing to try to stop him. He knows that he’s the best player on the court and doesn’t bother with all the stuff that doesn’t matter. Two years from now, I hope be leading Archbishop to a deep playoff run and be balllin’ like LaMelo.”
Tulalip tribal member Kierra Reese is in the midst of her senior year at Arlington High School. During her four-year tenure with the Arlington Eagles girls basketball team, she’s best known as a 3-point sniper and creative passer who gets buckets against 4A Wesco competition.
High school scouts and prep talent evaluators at Prep Girls Hoops offer the following player evaluation: Kierra is a wing who handles the ball like a guard. Her smooth handles lead to many crafty plays by her. She knows how to get to the bucket smoothly and how to use her 6’0” frame well to finish around the rim. Her game has taken a step forward since last season, being more well rounded on both sides of the ball and still being a lights out shooter.
After an anticipated matchup with the #18 ranked Archbishop Murphy Wildcats, Tulalip News caught up with the 18-year-old, blonde bucket-getter to discuss her relationship with basketball and where she sees herself after graduation.
Q: What does basketball mean to you?
A: “For a long time now, basketball has always been my out. I grew up being pretty aggressive and having basketball has an outlet was a perfect way to release that aggression. So, you can say beyond being my favorite sport, it’s also my favorite stress reliever.”
Q: How has your role on the court changed during your four years at Arlington?
A: “Since my freshman year, I’ve been a leader. That leadership looks different from year to year depending on what the team looks like. I went from being the youngest to now the oldest.”
Q: For those you haven’t watched you play, how would you describe your game?
A: “I like to shoot a lot. Most of the time I’m around the perimeter looking for space in the defense or creating space for my teammates. I’ll drive, too, though. I have a strong attack dribble with my right hand. So, yeah, I’m definitely more of an offensive player.”
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: “My dream scenario is to earn a scholarship spot for Western Washington University. If the scholarship doesn’t happen, then I plan to make the team as a walk-on. I’ve watched their team play and think I could be a good addition to what they are building.”
Q: As a student-athlete, student being the operative word, what do you plan to study in college? And what professions are of interest to you?
A: “I plan on studying Kinesiology and sporty psychology. That way I can become a coach in the future and use what I’ve learned to help players physically and mentally become their best selves. If the coaching route doesn’t happen, then I definitely want to remain in the sports field, like with athletic training or physical therapy.”
Q: How much have your parents meant to you during this basketball journey of yours?
A: “My parents have been everything. I literally cannot thank them enough for all the time they’ve committed to driving me to practices, games, and tournaments. It’s been so great to have my mom and dad as like an actual support system. During the toughest of times, they’ve always been there for me and been on my side most of the time. The times they weren’t on my side, they were giving me the constructive criticism that I needed to hear.”
Q: Being Tulalip, have you enjoyed the extra support you get as an athlete and local hooper?
A: “I’ll always be grateful for the Tribe and entire community for being so supportive. Something I’ll never forget about is during my freshman year, Tulalip TV featured me in a spotlight. It was done by Cody Faye. I’ve always felt supported on and off the court.”\
Q: Last question. If you could have the game of any basketball player, NBA or WNBA, who would it be?
A: “Caitlin Clark. Not just because we both wear #22, but because I love her range and how she is so effective at getting to the basket and finishing tough shots. I like her fieriness and her aggressiveness. When you watch her paly, you can see just how much takes every game and every possession seriously. So, Caitlin Clark, most definitely.”
By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News Our lands are sacred. Protecting our community and the surrounding environment is essential for restoring the land and creating a healthier future—not just for the people who call this place home but also for the plants and animals that depend on these lands. They don’t have a voice in how their environment is shaped, making our role as caretakers even more vital.
Natural Resources Environmental and Education Outreach Coordinator Melissa Gobin, reminds us that every day should be treated as Earth Day. She emphasizes the importance of being stewards of the land and inspiring others to embrace this responsibility. With this spirit in mind, the Natural Resource department is reaching out to gather ideas and support for this year’s Earth Day initiatives, which will take place on April 22 and the days leading up to it.
Last year’s events brought the community together for meaningful activities, including a plant walk that educated participants about native species and invasive plants, clean-up efforts at local rain gardens and public spaces, and salmon habitat restoration at Quil Ceda Creek. Multiple organizations collaborated to plant trees, create shade, and support the creek’s ecosystem. These events showcased the power of teamwork and community action, leaving a lasting impact.
Building on last year’s successes, the aim is to create an even more significant impact this year, focusing on trash removal, invasive species management, and maintaining public gardens. Community clean-up efforts will target areas such as 27th Avenue on the Rez, Tulalip beaches, and other local spaces.
This year’s initiatives include creating a seed bank and food-sharing program, encouraging community members to donate seeds, grow their gardens, and share homegrown produce to promote food security. Volunteers will clean and repair gardens across multiple Tulalip buildings and plant native vegetation to enhance green spaces.
Natural Resources will also be collaborating with local and national organizations, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Sound Solutions, the Marysville School District, and various tribal entities such as beda?chelh.
This is a community-driven initiative, and it needs your input to succeed. Share ideas for new activities or locations that need attention, volunteer at clean-up events, plant walks, or educational booths, or donate seeds, gardening tools, or financial contributions to support restoration projects. These initiatives are focused on Tulalip but are open to everyone—not just tribal members, to create a better future for all living beings who depend on these sacred lands.
Melissa Gobin emphasizes, “Raising awareness about our community’s health, the environment, and sustainability efforts is crucial. Let’s inspire everyone to love Mother Earth.”
Please get in touch with Melissa Gobin at mgobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov to share your ideas, volunteer, or donate. Let’s make this year’s Earth Day a celebration of our shared commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring a thriving future for all.
As the legend goes, in 2003 John McCoy and his wife Jeannie attended a Boys & Girls Club Auction where they enthusiastically bid on, and ultimately won, a one-of-a-kind quilt. That quilt was so precious to John that he took it with him to Olympia where it remained a fixture for 17 years while he served in the Washington State Legislature.
Senator McCoy (deceased) served in the Washington State Legislature for 17 years, where he was one of the state’s longest-serving Native American lawmakers.
While he served more than 10 years in the Washington House of Representatives, the quilt hung on his office wall. When he transitioned to the State Senate and proudly represented the 38th Legislative District for another 7 years, the quilt remained with him, still affixed to his office wall.
John retired from public service in 2020 and passed away in 2023, just a few months shy of his 80th birthday. Following his passing, Chairwoman Teri Gobin said, “John had a national recognition for being an innovative and visionary leader. He brought legislation forward not only for the Tribes but for the State of Washington and so many communities throughout Indian Country. He promoted bills on environment protection, health care, Native voting rights and education. Today, our children are benefiting from what John worked tireless to implement on the State, County, and Tribal levels.”
Recently, Jeannie McCoy was doing some reorganizing at her home and came across a particular quilt that had been folded and boxed up with this office things. As quickly as she recognized which quilt it was, she also recognized the need for it to be gifted to a new home.
“The entire time he was in Olympia, he had this practice of hanging up quilts and Pendleton blankets in his office. That Boys & Girls Club quilt was the very first one he ever hung up. It was a constant reminder that he was always working to make things better for the kids,” explained Jeannie, John’s wife of an astounding 58 years. “I wasn’t sure if the Boys & Girls Club would even want it, but I thought it was important to reach out and ask them. The Club staff were happy to have it and I was thrilled for it to have a new home.”
When Jeannie and her daughter Sheila arrived at the Club with the quilt, they were met by staff who were eager to accept the heartwarming gift. One of those staff members was Diane Prouty, who the kids affectionately call ‘grandma Diane’.
John’s daughter Sheila, Tulalip Club office manager Diane Prouty, John’s wife Jeannie, Tulalip Club director Shawn Sanchey, and B&GC Club of Snohomish County executive director Bill Tsoukalas. (photo courtesy Shawn Sanchey)
“It was a literal blast from the past. When I saw the quilt, it brought me to goosebumps and tears because I remembered making it with two other wonderful ladies, Mona Vallo and Marie Davis, who are both deceased,” shared Diane. The quilt not only found a home, it had found one of its original makers.
“Within the quilt are hundreds of little hearts. Those hearts represent the hundreds of kids our Club serves every day,” she added. “And the hands that form the border, those represent the staff, mentors and coaches who protect the kids and want to help create the brightest, happiest memories for every kid who walks through our doors.”
John and Jeannie McCoy’s grandchildren and great-children are among the countless number of Tulalip youth who’ve found sanctuary at the reservation’s Club. A safe place where kids can just be kids and rely on the consistency of warm meals and warm-hearted staff members. Plans are in the works to have the quilt hung on one of the walls in the gym. Where it can serve as a reminder to make things better for the kids, like it meant to John for all those years.
“The development of the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club and all the partnerships it’s been able to establish that have really made not just the kids’ lives better, but the Tribe better, too, is something John was always proud of,” said Jeannie. “I can’t think of a better place for the quilt to be.”
Edward Jesse May 9, 1973 – Perrin In Loving Memory of Edward Jesse Perrin Born in Petersburg, Alaska; Ed Perrin lived with passion and love. A proud father, husband, and “Dice King” dealer at Tulalip Casino, his magnetic spirit lit every room. He’s survived by his wife Monique Shopbell, children, and grandchildren. His legacy of love endures.
An evening service will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 6 PM at the Tulalip Gathering Hall. A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, January 30. 2025 at 10:00 AM at the Gathering Hall with burial to follow at Mission Beach Cemetery.
The Marysville Getchell High School gymnasium was nearly filled to capacity for Friday night hoops on January 24. The pep band and full cheer squad added to the ambiance, as well as dozens of students who donned their MGHS green and white colors, showcasing school spirit while they cheered on their team.
The band played tunes such as The Final Countdown, We Will Rock You, and the Time Warp to help amp up the players on the floor while they hit a few warmup shots. And though some of the players were all business, with their game faces on, most couldn’t help but hide the smiles from their faces as they took in the moment.
This is the very first year that Getchell implemented a new extracurricular activities program known as Unified Sports. This program promotes inclusion by bringing students with and without special needs together on the same floor as teammates, helping build friendships and providing students with intellectual disabilities the chance to experience the excitement of high school sports. Something that they are often excluded from.
As the opening buzzer sounded, the players hit the court to take on their opponents hailing from Burlington-Edison High. Just a few possessions into the game, Tulalip tribal member Xavier Jones got the ball on a fast break. As he hit the jets and drove the ball down the court, zigzagging between the opposing team members, he spotted fellow Tribal member, Sean “Optimus” Mace ahead of the pack near the low block and immediately passed him the rock.
Optimus let one player zoom by and shook off another with a pump fake before going up strong and putting two points on the board for the home team. When his shot went through the net, the entire place erupted. And on his way back on defense he hit Xavier with the famous basketball nod and point of acknowledgment for the assist before blowing multiple kisses to the fans in attendance.
Unified Sports was developed by the Special Olympics and is consistently growing across the nation with nearly 9,000 schools participating in the program today. MGHS is the first Unified Sports Champion School in the Marysville School District. And though she is quick to give credit to school faculty and leadership who supported her effort, the program was ultimately brought to the school by MGHS Special Education Native Liaison and Tulalip tribal member, Amy Sheldon.
Amy shared, “A few years ago, I actually got invited to watch a Unified Champion Sports Game at Arlington High School and I was moved to tears to see how amazing it was and to see everyone playing together. I knew this was something I wanted to create for our school. We’re the only Unified Champion School in the district. We’re trying to make it grow and bring it to other schools like MP, but it’s a lot of buy in and a lot of work. It wasn’t easy. Without my friends, coworkers, our Native American Friends Club that shows up and helps us out, I wouldn’t have been able to do it by myself.”
Members of the MGHS Native American Friends Club were both in the stands supporting the team and also on the court, helping facilitate the game by distributing the ball to their teammates, ensuring that each person got the chance to score some points and show off their skills. What makes this story even more heartwarming is the fact that both the MGHS boys and girls varsity teams had games the very same night in Stanwood, which means everybody in attendance chose to show up for the Unified Sports team and root them on during their second game of the season.
The unified team has numerous players on the roster, so much so that there were enough participants for three different rotations, all of whom wore the biggest grins as they made their way up and down the floor throughout the evening. The game was split into two 14-minutes halves and helped raise funds for the program by taking in donations for admission.
Altogether, there were four representatives of Tulalip on the court, including Xavier, Optimus, and Leah Stacy, along with Sammy Reyes who is a partner of a tribal member. As the final seconds of the game ticked down, MGHS was down just a few points. The team collectively made sure the final possession went to the namesake of the local non-profit Leah’s Dream. And just before the closing buzzer sounded, Leah scored a layup to bring the game to an end. Leah jumped up and down in triumph after getting her bucket and was quickly joined by her entire team in her excitement.
No one was more excited for her than her grandpa, Ray Sheldon Jr., who was watching from the bleachers and threw his arms in the air when she hit her shot. Said Ray, “That was really fun! I enjoyed that a lot. She’s getting better and we can see the progression. Every week she’s gaining more confidence. I think that’s what we’re trying to do here, build confidence in these kids so that they can do many, many good things in life. My grandson Sammy was able to play a little bit too. And this is a great way for them all to get some physical activity out of it. It’s exciting to see all these kids – to be able to play where they usually wouldn’t have the opportunity to play. It’s good that they all get this experience and learn how to work together.”
Following the game, Tulalip News caught up with Xavier Jones. Xavier expressed, “I had a lot of fun. We just learned how to play basketball and even though this is new, we all try our best. My favorite part is just playing more basketball with everyone and being the best player I can be.”
Amy shared that the team is currently in the process of getting in contact with other schools with a Unified Sports program and scheduling more games this season. They are also gearing up for soccer this Spring, something that all the kids are looking forward to.
“They’re amazing kids,” Amy stated. “This is important because it promotes inclusion and acceptance. We’re just starting off small and doing the best we can. I’ve always wanted this inclusion, and to see this happen is like the biggest blessing. For all the funding, I’m working on grants through the Special Olympics and Tulalip Special Olympics to help build unity. This is our first season and it’s so great to see how happy this makes people – the students, administrators, families. And I’m so proud that there are so many Tulalip students on the team, it’s amazing!”
To fully appreciate the depths Mikail Montez has dug to maximize her lifetime of muscle memory meticulously tuned for the game of basketball and to capitalize on every second of collegiate court time, you have to know her journey. You have to know how opportunity can present itself in the face of unprecedented global upheaval, only to be struck down with devastating injury, and then present itself again in the form of a geoduck. Why a geoduck? Because they dig deep, of course.
Let us begin. It’s early 2019 and 18-year-old Mikail is not just a three-sport athlete and leading scorer for her high school basketball team, but she’s also the reigning Marysville Getchell senior class president. Her future is boundless. She’s full of anticipation and excitement to begin her next stage of student-athlete life at Arizona State University.
Then 2020 happens. A global pandemic sends us spiraling into social isolation, full on lockdowns in parts of the country, and a genuine fear of what could be next. Mikail is not immune from any of these 1,500 miles away from her reservation while still adjusting to life as a college freshman. So she makes the logical decision to return home.
“COVID happened during my winter quarter at Arizona State. After discussion with my parents, we agreed it was best for me to come back home,” recalled Mikail. “Eventually, all the fear and unknown started to fadeaway and the coach at Everett Community College reached out to me. Because of the pandemic and athletes returning home, they had lost like half their team and needed players. I jumped at the opportunity.
“Everett was a great experience. I was there for three years, but that first year, 2021, was probably the most memorable because it was a COVID season. The scheduling and whole dynamic about it was weird, but as a collective we came together for the love of the game and our love for each other. With everything happening in the world at that time and so many hurting from losing loved ones, that 2021 team found sanctuary on the basketball court. We were all we had. We went through a pandemic together and somehow managed to win our league championship.”
In 2022, Mikail’s on-court production reaches new heights as she begins to unlock all facets of her game. Now a fixture of Everett C.C.’s basketball program, she’s featured on both sides of the ball as both a bucket getter and lockdown defender. She starts in all 23 games that year, averages a double-double, and is awarded Everett’s Women’s Basketball Athlete of the Year.
Expectations are through the roof as the 2023 season is about to begin. When, suddenly, tragedy strikes.
“We’re up in Skagit playing in a tournament. I’m embracing being an upper classman now and a true leader of the team. I was ballin’…the game had slowed down for me, I was seeing the game in a whole new way, and just felt like I could get us 20 points every night. Then pop!” described the Tulalip hooper like only a hooper can. That pop was the sound of her Achilles tendon tearing. “I was going for a rebound when it happened and knew instantly what it was. I was absolutely heartbroken.”
Heartbroken, yes. Spirit broken, no. Having the game you love literally ripped from you is a career ender for many an athlete. Not this one. Mikail went through a grueling nine months of physical therapy. The then-21-year-old powered through a rigorous schedule of seemingly unless stretching, workouts, and more stretching necessary to render her Achilles to pre-injury form with one thought in mind – “I was determined to get back to that place of playing the best ball of my career. I knew my playing days weren’t over. My mantra for that time was Progress matters, not Pace.”
As her fortune would have it, the coaching staff of Evergreen State College had scouted Mikail during her peak at Everett C.C. and were well aware of the all-around skill set she possessed. It was a skill set they were willing to set aside a spot for on their women’s basketball team in the hopes she’d make a full recovery and continue her collegiate career in Olympia.
“Full transparency, I reached out to other colleges, too, seeing what my options were. I knew I could finish my degree anywhere, but I wanted to prove I could still hoop while doing it. Of all the colleges I reached out to, only Evergreen got back to me,” admitted Mikail. “I took that as a sign and opted to play where I was wanted for a coaching staff who knew what I was capable of.”
She returned to the court during Evergreen’s 2023-2024 season where she saw action in 20 games, including one start. With her minutes limited and role relegated to a bench player as she learned a new system, she averaged just shy of 3 points and 3 rebounds a game. A far cry from the double-double machine she was at Marysville Getchell High School and Everett Community College.
This is where the geoduck comes into play. For the uninformed, the geoduck (pronounced gooey-duck) is the world’s largest burrowing clam, has an average lifespan of 140 years, is most commonly found in Coast Salish waters, and is Evergreen College’s official mascot. Oh, and the word geoduck comes from the English language’s attempt to pronounce γʷιδəθ, which is Lushootseed for “dig deep”. Because that’s what geoduck do, they dig deep.
Mikail embraced the geoduck as her defacto spirit animal for the 2024-2025 season and, in doing so, summons every ounce of strength in her five-foot-eleven-inch frame to dig deep every game, every quarter, and every minute she gets on the hardwood. She’s a fifth-year college senior set to graduate in June with her Bachelor’s Degree. There is no next season.
Digging deep, the Evergreen forward/center has regained her status as full-time starter and perennial bucket getter. She’s rebounded from last year’s statistically down season by averaging nearly 10 points and 5 rebounds per game. Most importantly, her body is healed completely from the Achilles injury, which has allowed her to regain her confidence to battle with other bigs in the post. Something the Evergreen coaching staff were quick to implement into their offensive game plan.
“Mikail is dedicated to her craft in a way that coaches of any level would love to have an opportunity to coach,” explained Evergreen College head coach Derrick Pringle. “She’s methodical, hardworking, and, best of all, she loves the game. We offer optional Saturday practices and she’s always there, busting her butt for two hours and going home soaking wet with a smile on her face.
“When I first got here, I thought she was a wing player. But I learned quick after she told me ‘Coach, I can play the wing, but I like to bang a little bit’. Mikail’s ability to score inside from the post and outside with her 3-point touch is what makes her different as a player. Everyone wants to shoot the 3 ball and, if you look around, almost everyone does these days. But not everyone can score in the post. In fact, it’s probably the rarest of skills these days for a player to possess the patience, footwork, and physicality necessary to score so effortlessly in the post like she does.”
Her full arsenal of back-to-the-basket moves and sweet shooting touch were on full display in a mid-January matchup with the College of Idaho. A back and forth game full of all the excitement one could ask for from a basketball game, Mikail was a fixture of reliability for her fellow Evergreen teammates. In the game’s most pressure-filled moments, Mikail stayed cool, calm, and confident in her ability to score on one end and come up with a defensive stop on the other.
In a thrilling 55-52 victory, Mikail amassed a stat line of 21-points (a season high), 8 rebounds (a season high), and 3 assists. She shot 9-13 from the field and was 2-3 on 3-pointers. “That stats are cool, but even better is the win,” said Mikail post-victory. “I felt like I was my best self out there tonight. Having the trust of teammates and coaches to have the ball in my hands with the game on the line is every basketball player dream. I’ve visualized and practiced those moments thousands of times…what I’d do to get to my spots, my footwork, my form on the shots.”
In her final season as a collegiate athlete, the now 23-year-old has regained her final form as a basketball player that the Achilles injury attempted to take from her. She’s also found the home away from home community at Evergreen College that COVID once denied her from finding at Arizona State. It’s because of those challenges and setbacks that her family so eagerly make the drive from Tulalip to the Olympia-based campus to watch their favorite baller get buckets.
“It’s great to see a tribal kid flourish off the reservation while doing her thing on the Division III level. Mikail is proud of her roots and always putting on for Tulalip wherever she goes,” shared Nathan Williams, one of Mikail’s older brothers, who regularly attends games with his 2-year-old son Winter. “Legacy and tradition are the most important things to our family, which is why it’s a priority to have my son here so he can experience the environment while his aunt is on the court getting buckets.
“The confidence in her skill is what sets her apart,” he added. “She put in a lot of time, countless early mornings and late nights, to reach that level of confidence. Plus, she had three older brothers who played and a former pro player in our household that was able to show her elite level footwork and shooting form. Mikail took the skill and athleticism our family is known for and carved out her own basketball journey. Among us siblings, she took her love for the game the furthest. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Mikail’s journey in basketball is more than just personal triumph. Her journey is one of balancing cultural heritage, academics, and athletics that all Tulalip youth should hear about or read about. Because her story is their story. To learn from, to be inspired by, and to serve as a reminder, whenever needed, that there are going to be times when the odds are long and the whole world seems like its against you. In order to persevere, you gotta dig deep.
